FAQs about Road Tripping and Traveling in Croatia, Slovenia, Albania, and Montenegro

1. Planning your trip to Croatia, Slovenia, Albania, and Montenegro

Accommodations

Various types of accommodation are available, including local houses, hostels, hotels, and luxurious villas. Most hotels are near the beach and you can get best prices online. For staying at local houses, check-in with city tourist offices that have access to nearly all rooms available for rent by locals.

Airline Restrictions

Restrictions about what you can carry on the plane are always changing. Visit Transportation Security Administration for the latest information on what you can bring, what you should check-in, and what you can carry with you.

Banks

Banks are often the best place to exchange currency but also check the exchange rates with currency exchange offices which often have competitive rates.

Most banks are open from Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm. Hours can vary in the afternoon. Banks are closed on weekends and national holidays. When banks are closed, you can find exchange places around the cities.

Business Hours

Stores are generally open Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm, and Saturday 9am to 3pm. Most stores are closed on Sundays.

Credit Cards

Call your credit cards ahead of your travel to let them know the countries you’ll be visiting so that your charges don’t get declined while traveling. Capital One credit card doesn’t have international fees. Get it for your travels.

Price negotiations are common with private vendors so you may get a better deal if you ask for it. Have cash to get the best price.

Costs

Croatia and Slovenia are not as inexpensive as they were just ten years ago. These days, the prices are comparable to other European countries although not as expensive as Italy and some other popular tourist places.

Currency

The Croatian currency is the Kuna. The exchange rate is around 6 Kunas per USD. The Euro (€) will soon become Croatia’s official currency.

The Slovenian currency is the Euro.

The exchange rate varies but is generally €0.75 to €0.85 per USD. Check the most current rate at XE currency exchange site. You can also download a conversion app for your phone that comes in handy not only with currency conversions but also with other conversions (I like the Amount app).

Customs

Travelers’ allowances for Croatia and Slovenia are the same as other EU countries. Duty free allowance is $800 per person once every 30 days. The rest is taxed at 3%. A number of good are prohibited, including, cheeses, fruit and vegetables, meat, and illegal drugs.

Documents

Prior to your trip, make copies of all your documents and store them in a safe place when traveling.

As another backup, scan all your documents and store them on Dropbox (free) or Google Drive (free) in case your luggage gets lost.

Electricity

The current is 220 volts AC. Plugs have two round pins.

For most electronic devices, you’ll only need to buy the plug add-on (~1 USD) since they already have an internal voltage converter. For other devices, buy a voltage transformer before you leave.

Embassies

All embassies in Croatia are located in Zagreb.

All embassies in Slovenia are located in Ljubljana.

Emergency Telephone Numbers

For emergencies, dial 112 in Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

For police, dial 92 in Croatia, 113 in Slovenia, and 122 in Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Entry Regulations, Passports, and Visas

The only document required for US citizens is a passport for any stay up to 90 days. If your passport is due to expire within 3 to 6 months of your ticketed date of return, you may be denied entry. It can take up to two months to get a new passport so renew your passport early. Make a copy of your passport or store a copy online in case it is lost or stolen.

EU citizens need only a visitor’s card.

Check regulations before you travel.

Festivals

Festivals take place in Croatia and Slovenia throughout the year. In addition, every city has a patron saint and each one marks its saint’s day with special celebrations.

Footwear

Most Croatian beaches are pebbly or rocky. This is great for the color of beaches and your ability to see through water but not so great for walking under water. Sea urchins are also common. I suggest that you buy a pair of water shoes.

Getting to Croatia & Slovenia: By Plane

Croatia Air is the major carrier to Croatia and Slovenia.

There are many connecting flights to Zagreb (capitol of Croatia) and Ljubljana (capitol of Slovenia).

Continental, Delta, and United Airlines offer direct flights to Venice from many major US cities, including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia. Air Canada flies direct to Venice from Montreal and Toronto. From Venice, you can connect to other airports in Croatia and Slovenia.

Getting to Croatia & Slovenia: By Train

Trains from the Continent arrive at Koper (Slovenia).

There are numerous direct services that link Croatia and Slovenia with the major European cities.

If coming by air, you have an option to bring your car with you. The cost is typically similar to your air ticket. Note that the car arrives by ship so you’ll need to send your car 4-6 weeks prior to arrival.

Renting the car at the airport is often your cheapest option, especially when booked together with airfare.

Getting to Croatia & Slovenia: Ferry Services

There are ferry connections between Croatia and Italy: Ancona – Split/Stari Grad/Zadar/Hvar; Venezia – Lussino/Porec/Pula/Umag/Rovinj/Rabac; Bari – Dubrovnik. Great ferry directory is available at www.ferryto.com.hr.

In addition, there are many connections between mainland Croatia and offshore islands. Jadrolinija is the most economical way to go island hopping. Book in advance as they sell out quickly during the summer.

Guided Tours

There are many agencies available. Both Croatia and Slovenia are safe and you’re encouraged to explore on your own. Many travel agencies are available if you prefer to travel with a guide.

Health Insurance

Croatia and Slovenia are members of the EU and have reciprocal health agreements with other EU member states. Comprehensive health insurance is recommended for all others. Check with your medical insurance about what’s covered and what’s needed for reimbursement in case of medical care.

Holidays

Public holidays in Croatia

January 1; New Year's Day

January 6; Epiphany

Easter and Easter Monday (variable date)

May 1; International Workers' Day

60 days post Easter; Corpus Christi (variable date)

June 22; Anti-Fascist Struggle Day

June 25; Statehood Day

August 5; Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day

August 15; Assumption of Mary

October 8; Independence Day

November 1; All Saints Day

December 25; Christmas

December 26; St. Stephen's Day

Public holidays in Slovenia

January 1; New Year's Day

February 8; Slovenia Cultural Day

Easter and Easter Monday (variable date)

April 27; Day of Uprising Against Occupation

May 1; International Workers' Day

Whit Sunday (50 days after Easter)

June 8; Primoz Trubar Day

June 25; Statehood Day

August 15; Assumption Day

August 17; Day of Slovenians in Prekmurje

Incorporated into the Mother Nation

September 15; Day of Restoration of the Primorska Region to the Motherland

October 31; Reformation Day

November 1; All Saints Day

November 23; Rudolf Maister Day

December 25; Christmas

December 26; Independence and Unity Day

In addition to those listed, there are five more traditional holidays that are widely celebrated in Slovenia, although not work holidays:

Carnival (pust); date varies

International Women's Day; March 8

St. George's Day (jurjevanje; the welcoming of spring); April 23

St. Martin's day (martinovanje; changing of must into wine); November 11

Saint Nicholas Day (miklavz; when children receive presents); December 6

Insects

Mosquitoes can be a nuisance during the summer months, especially in camps. Wear insect repellent as needed.

Internet

Beware - internet charges on your mobile phone can add up quickly when using your home mobile device in Croatia. You can buy a SIM card in Croatia to put in your mobile phone to save money.

Also, most cities have free WiFi available throughout the city. If a city WiFi is not available, you can get free WiFi from cafes and restaurants.

My favorite way to access the internet in Croatia is with RoamFree Ninja wifi hotspot (pocket sized device) which is inexpensive, provides great internet speeds, and allows connections for up to 10 devices.

Jellyfish, Sea Urchins, and Other Sea Animals

Stinging jellyfish are frequently found in the water and are also sometimes washed up on the shore. Sea urchins, known for their porcupine-like spines, are also often found in water. Stepping on them can be extremely painful. Wear water sandals when you can and be careful where you step when walking barefoot.

Language

Croatian is the official language in Croatia. Slovenian is the official language of Slovenia. Most people also speak English. In restaurants and stores, you won’t have any problems communicating in English and German.

Learn a few words in Croatian and Slovenian. Download the Google translate app that you can use to translate on the go (works with microphone as well).

Mail

Post offices are open from 9AM-5PM on weekdays.

Sending postcards is inexpensive. Stamps are on sale at post offices and at many shops that sell postcards.

Measures

Croatia and Slovenia use the metric system of meters, kilograms, liters, etc. Voltage is 220 volts and plugs have European prongs.

Medical Services

Most cities have 24-hour emergency services. Some cities share hospitals and you may have to be transported to a hospital in nearby city for advanced medical services such as medical surgeries. The doctor’s fees are typically paid in cash.

Dental work is popular in Croatia and Slovenia because it’s still relatively inexpensive compared to Europe and US. The quality is comparable to dental work elsewhere in Europe.

For most up to date information on vaccinations and health tips when traveling, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for Health Information for Travelers to Croatia and Slovenia.

Money

Bring some cash with you. This is your emergency stash. Small currencies work best.

For everything else, use your credit cards. Visa and MasterCard are accepted nearly everywhere. Check with your banks about fees. When withdrawing money from ATMs, take out large amounts so that you minimize the fees associated with withdrawals.

In case you lose your credit cards, call your credit card’s international number (you can call collect) or these general numbers: Visa (410-581-9994); Master Card (636-722-7111); and American Express (623-492-8427). Take pictures of you credit cards and store them in case of an emergency.

Banks often provide the best money exchange rates but compare rates since they vary between banks. Also check the exchange rates with currency exchange offices which often have competitive rates.

Don’t bring travelers checks. They are cumbersome to cash and have many fees associated with them.

At Get by Bus, you can buy tickets for Croatia, Bosnia and Hercegovina, and Montenegro, as well as bus tickets for international connections to Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, and many other destinations.

Another great resource for planning bus travel is Busradar which offers online bus tickets throughout Europe. Busradar also show connections by train and carpooling.

Real Estate

During your visit to Croatia and Slovenia, you may fall in love with a destination and may decide to buy a vacation or investment property there. If you need assistance with buying or selling real estate, please contact me directly.

Sales Tax and Value-Added Tax (VAT) for Shoppers

Sales tax is 22% in Slovenia and 25% in Croatia. The sales tax is included in the price that you pay.

As a tourist, you can get most of that tax back if you make a purchase of more than €50 at a store that participates in VAT services. When you make a purchase, get the VAT paperwork that is required to process your VAT refund with the customs agent at the airport. Once you get those stamps, you can process your refund with Global Refund offices or Premier Tax Free.

Security

Major crimes are rare in Croatia and Slovenia. Petty crime, however, is present as in any other country, especially in inner-city and tourist areas. Avoid carrying backpacks and money belts which are easy targets. Also avoid leaving valuables on the shore while going for a swim.

Sightseeing

Sightseeing and entertainment is not expensive. Most events are free, and paid events range from €3 - €20.

At most popular sightseeing sites, you can usually rent an audio guide to learn more about the landmark. They’re typically about €5.

You can also hire private guides for about €20/hour. This is a great value if you get others to join you on your tour.

Smoking and Alcohol

If you’re over 18, you can smoke and drink. Smoking in public places is very common as many locals smoke. However, as in other countries in Europe, smoking is increasingly restricted indoors.

Local wine and alcohol is excellent and inexpensive.

Sunburn

The sun can be intense along this coastline. Sunscreen is suggested at all times, especially 11-2 when the sun is at its peak. Drink plenty of liquids to stay hydrated, seeking shade when possible.

Telephone

The country code for Croatia is +385. The country code for Slovenia is +386.

Hotels typically add surcharges to calls from rooms.

To call abroad, dial 00, then the country code, followed by the city code then the number. For example, to call U.S., you would call 00-1-222-222-2222. For mobile phones, you can also substitute + for 00. To call the same number from before, you would dial +1-222-222-2222.

If you have a GSM-ready phone, you can buy SIM cards for your phone. Calls to outside of the country are still expensive, although prices have recently become more reasonable.

You can call for free if you can find a Wi-Fi connection. If you have a smart mobile device, you can use apps such as Skype, Viber, and Tango to make free calls and send free messages.

Time

Local standard time is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Check the time for any city at www.timeanddate.com/worldclock.

Tipping

Tipping is not required since waiters are paid a full wage. However, tipping is always appreciated and will get you a better service especially if you plan on visiting the place often. If you decide to leave a tip, 5-10 percent is considered generous. If you’ll be visiting a local cafe every morning, leave a one-time tip with the morning waiter for excellent service during the entire stay.

Tourist Offices

Before taking a trip, contact Croatian and Slovenian tourist offices in your country for maps, guides, and other useful brochures.

Most Croatian and Slovenian cities have a tourist information office. Tourist offices are listed for each town covered in this guide.

Travel Agents

Travel agents can save you time and money by getting you the best airfare and accommodations, and arranging for rental cars and other activities.

If you need assistance with any travel arrangements, please contact me directly so that I can put you in contact with our partners.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is generally a good idea. It typically costs 5-10 percent of your total trip. Compare the costs (I recommend www.insuremytrip.com for comparison shopping) and your tolerance for risk to make a decision on whether to buy travel insurance.

Many credit cards provide some travel insurance with all your purchases (e.g., lost luggage, delayed flights, death, etc). The coverage is limited but it’s free. Check with your credit card company for more information about their coverage.

Weather

The best part about weather is that Croatia and Slovenia are not next to an ocean. Hence, there is no need to worry about hurricanes.

What to Bring

Bring your drivers license, a voltage converter, and any medications. Also bring good walking shoes so you’re comfortable exploring the cities, the hiking trails, and the beaches.

When to Go

Most popular months to travel are June through September. August is the busiest month since most of Europe has the summer holidays during the month of August. Everything is open late and the crowds are at their peak. Expect to pay highest prices during this time.

May through June, and September through October are the best time to travel. In May and June, the weather is warm enough to go sun bathing and stay in the expensive hotels without paying top dollar. September and October are great for swimming because water is still warm and most of the tourists have already left.

For road trips, May to June and September to October are your best bets because the streets are not overcrowded.

Other months are off-peak months. Many establishments in small towns close until May. Those that stay open are open only during limited hours. Larger towns stay open during the entire year.

Where to Eat and Drink

Croatia and Slovenia are known for their wines, seafood, grilled meats, and Italian-style food. They offer great food for reasonable prices, especially if you go off the tourist strip.

Slovenian Cuisine

For its small population, Slovenian cuisine is incredibly diverse. It is heavily influenced by Austrian cuisine (klobasa, zavitek, and dunajski zrezek), Italy (njoki and rizota), Hungary (golaz, paprika, and palacinke), and Balkans (cevapcici and plejskavica).

Croatian cuisine reflects the cultures that have influenced it over the course of history. Each region has its own specialty. Zagreb and northwestern Croatia favor hearty meat dishes, such as pecenje (spit-roasted meat), janje (lamb), and svinjentina (pork). Coastal cuisine is typically Mediterranean with a lot of olive oil, garlic, hers, and fish.

Fast Food

Pizza is really good wherever you go. Also popular are cevapcici (ground meat), pljeskavice (burgers), raznjici (pork grilled on skewer), and burek (pastry stuffed with cheese or meat).

Cafes and Bars

Cafes and bars range from modest to spectacular with terraces and beautiful views. Look for recommendations in the book.

Where to Stay

Places in Croatia and Slovenia range from grand hotels to boutique hotels to private residences.

Private Accommodations

This is typically the most inexpensive way to stay in Croatia and Slovenia. You can rent an apartment (apartment) or a room (soba). You can find these simply by walking around and looking for signs on the houses, or by visiting a tourist agency.

The charges are per person, in the €20-€30 per person range.

In addition to being inexpensive, these private accommodations are also a nice way of mingling with the locals.

B&Bs

Many residents offer bed and breakfast accommodations in their homes. The best of these can be a great buy, in addition to experiencing local hospitality.

Most hotels are expensive, especially during the summer months. Prices range from €100-€250 in large hotels and €60-€120 in smaller hotels. Before accepting the room, make sure that you understand all the charges associated with the room.

Camping

Camping is popular in Croatia and Slovenia, and there are plenty of sites on the coast where you can camp.

Top camps for each town are covered in the book and Adriatic Road Trip Google Map.

Booking and Prices

It is best to book in advance if you plan on traveling in July and August. Reservations can often be booked online.

2. Road trip tips

Accidents

If you have an accident, place a warning triangle behind the car and call the police (Croatia: 112; Slovenia: 113). Most highways also have emergency telephones and push-button call boxes.

Exchange names, addresses, phone numbers, and insurance information with other driver(s) involved. A police report needs to be submitted to the rental and insurance companies. If there’s personal injury, seek medical assistance.

Breakdowns

If your car breaks down, place a warning triangle behind the car as with accidents. A reflector jacket is required at night or during poor visibility.

If you are driving your own car, call 112 in Croatia or 113 in Slovenia and give your location, car model, and registration. You will be towed to the nearest garage.

If you are driving a rental car, call the emergency number of the rental company.

Car Rentals

There are many car rental offices throughout Croatia, Slovenia, and nearby airports, with many types of vehicles to choose from, ranging from inexpensive compact cars to expensive luxury vehicles. Renting a car with an automatic transmission is about 50% more expensive than renting a car with manual transmission. You can get better rates and better selection by booking online before your arrival. To rent a car, you’ll need to be 21 years or older, and have a valid driver’s license and credit card.

Fees assessed for different pickup and drop-off locations are very high, especially when crossing country borders. Don’t do so unless you absolutely must. It is pleasant to drive along the Adriatic on the first leg of the trip, then drive the highway to return. If you are flying into and out of cities in different countries, consider dropping off the car in the first country, then taking public transit or a taxi across the border, renting another car in the next country.

Ask your car rental company for the most up-to-date information on local, national, and international regulations, policies, and fees.

Children

Children under 3 are not permitted to drive in the front or rear seats without a restraint system. Children must be at least 12 to sit in the front without a restraint system.

Directions

Make use of the Adriatic Road Trip Google Map to find all the ART recommendations. You can also save your directions for offline use when on the road.

You can rent GPS devices at nearly all car rental places. Enter info center addresses found in the book for destination addresses. Alternatively, you can buy a paper map at any kiosk. See Road Maps for more information.

Driver’s License

Visitors driving their own vehicles registered in their respective countries must be at least 18 years of age, and must carry vehicle registration, proof of insurance, and a valid driver’s license. Third party insurance is required.

It’s also recommended that you obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) from AAA.

Drinking and Driving

In Croatia, the permitted blood-alcohol level is 0.05% (this is less than 1 drink per hour) for adults and 0.00% for anyone under 24.

In Slovenia, the permitted blood-alcohol level is 0.05%.

Laws in Croatia and Slovenia are strict and penalties severe. If you drink, don’t drive.

Driving Conditions

Traffic rules follow the Geneva Convention and use international road signs. Drive on the right side of the road, pass on the left, and give way at intersections to vehicles coming from your right.

Young drivers in Croatia and Slovenia drive fast. Stay focused and alert when driving.

Ferries

Car rentals are permitted on Croatian car ferries. Rental cars cannot be taken across to Italy by ferry. Valid registration papers are required for international ferries.

Book your car ferry tickets in advance because they're often sold out. You can buy tickets at Jadro Linija.

Gasoline

Many cars in Croatia and Slovenia use diesel, not gasoline (petrol, octane). Make sure to pump the correct type of fuel. If you pump the wrong type of fuel, you can have your gas tank drained for €100.

Fuel is very expensive (over 1€ per L). You can search for cheapest gas stations in nearby locations of Croatia using the MinGO app.

Highways have 24-hour fuel stations.

Insurance

Comprehensive insurance is advisable. If renting a car, supplemental insurance is also recommended to reduce or eliminate your deductible costs in case of an accident or damage to the car.

You typically won’t need a special border crossing card or additional insurance in order to enter Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina from Croatia or Slovenia. Check with car rental company about any additional fees. More information is available at https://www.huo.hr/eng.

Lights

Use of dipped headlights is required at all times. Full-beam headlights can only be used outside cities and towns.

Motoring Clubs

Motoring clubs are a great resource for information on roads, traffic, and roadside assistance.

Motorcycles

You must wear a helmet if driving a motorcycle.

Parking

Parking is difficult since the historic old towns were not built to accommodate vehicles. Park outside the city center in parking lots and garages. For some hotels in city districts, you may be required to obtain a special parking permit from your hotel.

Road Maps: Slovenia

The best paper map for long journeys is the AA Road Atlas Slovenia. Regional maps are also valuable for local exploring.

Michelin provides an excellent electronic map of Slovenia (and other countries, including Croatia).

Free paper maps of Slovenia are available at Travel Agencies throughout Slovenia.

Roads

Roads and toll roads are in great condition and easy to navigate. There are signs everywhere helping you get from city to city and within different parts of the city.

Drivers can sometimes be aggressive, especially younger drivers, as they speed through local roads and highways. Tailgating on local roads is also common during summer months when streets become congested with tourists.

Road Signs

Croatia and Slovenia conform with the International Road Signs standards.

Some road signs differ between countries so it is important to familiarize yourself with the country road signs.

Satellite Navigation Devices (GPS)

Most major satellite navigation devices, such as TomTom and Garmin, include maps of Croatia and Slovenia. Some car rental offices offer these devices as options.

Seatbelts

Wearing of seatbelts is required in all seats where they are installed. Baby car seats and children car seats are also required. Many car companies have them available for rent.

Speed Limits

The speed limit is 90kph (55mph) on ordinary roads, 110kph (68mph) on main roads, and 130kph (80mph) on highways.

Tickets (Fines)

Fines for speeding and other road violations can be paid on the spot. Get a receipt.

Toll Roads

Croatia has a number of toll roads. Visitors can purchase a motorway toll card from offices and motorway toll booths. You can also pay as you go. The pricelist for toll roads is available at http://hac.hr/en/toll-rates/pricelist.

The A1 Motorway is the longest motorway in Croatia and connects major cities on the Adriatic coast. It’s the most scenic road of Croatia and it’s free.

In Slovenia, cars driving on Slovenian motorways and expressways must carry a vignette. Vignettes can be purchased at any petrol station and are available for one week, one month, 6 months, and entire year. The pricelist for tolls roads is available at http://www.dars.si.

Warning Triangle

Warning triangles must be used in the event of an accident, breakdown, or when stopped on a road in fog, curve, or on a hill. The triangle must be placed no less than 50m (55 yards) behind the vehicle.